Daryan Says Dialogue, New President to Resolve Political Crises
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan led Eid al-Adha prayers on Thursday, calling for dialogue and the election of a president to resolve the country's growing political crises.
“Political crises are increasing, institutions are getting paralyzed and the presidential elections are not being held,” said Daryan in his sermon at Mohammed al-Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut.
Top officials, including Prime Minister Tammam Salam, attended the prayers.
“We are all concerned on the nation, the state and the Republic,” said Daryan.
He called for “preserving legitimacy,” saying “solutions can only come through the constitution, consensus among all Lebanese, and coexistence.”
“Solutions should also come through dialogue and consensus through the state institutions, the government and the parliament,” he stated.
Daryan called for the election of a president also through consensus, describing him as “the symbol of the nation's unity.”
“The situation will only improve through his presence,” said the Mufti.
“Things will get straight only through dialogue and by distancing ourselves from violent rhetoric that is leading to more differences in our community,” he said.
Daryan also called for backing the government and “not to do injustice to it.”
“Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa mosque compound lead to extremism,” Daryan warned.
“Action is needed to stop the assaults on it, on Jerusalem and Palestine,” he said.
Clashes erupted last week at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound as Jews celebrated their New Year, or Rosh Hashanah.
Israeli police said they raided the Al-Aqsa compound to stop youths who had barricaded themselves inside the mosque from disrupting visits by Jews and tourists.
Clashes broke out during the raids, with protesters throwing fireworks, stones and other objects at police, who fired stun grenades.
In his sermon, the deputy head of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, also called for the election of a consensual president.
He urged the Lebanese to be united and said officials should stand together against Israel and corruption.
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